Can you have a zero-waste packing list for Burning Man? It's not easy

Are you packing differently this year for Burning Man in an effort to make a difference in how we interact with the environment at large? Let us know what you recommend, what you're struggling to change, or your thoughts on Leave No Trace and sustainability generally at Burning Man.

Below is our packing list and we're open to your suggestions on how to improve it or expand on it. Email reporter Jenny Kane at jkane@rgj.com with the subject line, "zero-waste."

Jenny Kane is the Burning Man, Arts and Culture reporter for the Reno Gazette Journal.

Jenny Kane is the Burning Man, Arts and Culture reporter for the Reno Gazette Journal.

Photo by Andy Barron/RGJ

I'm a single-use plastic heathen by many standards. At home, I like my yogurt in disposable cups, I like my shampoo in bottles, I like my 8-month-old daughter in diapers that I can toss in the trash.

At Burning Man, it's even worse. I live and die by Cup of Noodles, zip ties, Ziplocs, sunscreen tubes and individually wrapped string cheese. I thoroughly enjoy Gatorade on the playa, and I feel like my nocturnal survival depends on my 12-pack of glow sticks.

But I want to do better, and so too it seems does Burning Man.

The 80,000-person arts festival shamelessly is fueled by propane and wood, but in July the organization released a sustainability road map, a set of goals that it wants to accomplish by 2030. The projection is that Burning Man will become a carbon-negative and zero-non-sustainable waste event in a decade's time.

The RGJ's Jenny "Choco Taco" Kane shows you how to reduce your waste while packing for Burning Man.

Jason Bean, RGJ

For the past year or so, I've been thinking about how I can do my part. My family and I are composting. I've purchased bamboo toothbrushes, clung to my Hyrdoflask water bottle and invested in a pack of paper straws (I still haven't opened the pack).

Since Burning Man is theoretically on board with this effort to be more sustainable, I figured it might be a fun challenge to try to do all the things I have not yet done, some of the tougher tasks I've been avoiding.

So, I went shopping this week, and fleshed out my packing list, crossed a few items off permanently and researched some alternatives.

I've had to prioritize: Do I try to eliminate plastic packaging, packaging altogether, or do I buy some packaged items in hopes of buying it only once, ever? What do I buy at the thrift store? When is it worth it to ship something in, versus buy a less sustainable item locally?

A lot of the solutions I've considered are not cut and dried. For instance, making your own cleaning products usually involves buying other products that are packaged in plastic.

I'm also skeptical of this new market of sustainable goods because, shouldn't we be making every effort to buy used, recycled goods rather than new items on the market that will have us all tossing our old items?

In an effort to try to be part of a healthier planet starting now, I'm going to make a packing list. It's not plastic-free, it's not waste free either, and not everything is natural. It is, however, a start.

Below is a reduced-plastic, reduced single-use product packing list for Burning Man. I welcome your recommendations as to how to improve this list. Here's what I have so far.

Not pitch-perfect plastic-free packing list for Burning Man 2019

* Items with an asterisk have unsustainable packaging

Groceries

Tip: One of the hardest parts of grocery shopping for Burning Man is getting meat and cheese without packaging. My solution has been to visit local delis and butchers and have them wrap the meat and cheese in parchment paper (which I can compost later) before I place the items in my own Tupperware or glass container from home. Tupperware I know is less "clean" than, say, glass. However, I don't want to just toss all my Tupperware because then I'm contributing to the issue! The same goes for baked goods. Go to a local bakery for your bread, and maybe to a local Mexican restaurant for tortillas! Bring a container for your leftovers too!

Cheese from deli

Lunch meat from deli

Ground beef from butcher (Great for pasta and tacos, both easy dishes on-playa!)

Pasta - I could not find a dry pasta that was not in a plastic bag, or a cardboard package with a plastic window, so I'm going to make my own (in theory). This is quite possibly wishful thinking, though I did recently purchase a pasta maker at the thrift store, so... Also, I'm nervous about this because then I'll have to keep it fresh. Definitely tempted to buy pasta in a box despite the window pane of plastic.

Tomato sauce - The plan is to make sauce before I leave, and then can it and freeze it. It will help keep other products cold, but it will undoubtedly thaw after several days.

Oatmeal, dried fruit and pistachios from bulk dried goods section and placed in cotton bags - I purchased my cotton bags at Sprout's for 99 cents, but in the past I just reuse the same plastic produce bags over and over. Or I live with the guilt of half the time forgetting mine from home and getting new ones. Generally, I try not to buy new tote bags because there's the argument that they take more energy to produce than the plastic ones. I just get used ones at the thrift store.

Milk - I see two options here. In the past, I have purchased powdered milk, it was actually perfect for Burning Man because I made small batches for my cereal each morning! As someone who camps in a tent, it's also way less concerning that I don't have to refrigerate powdered milk. The other option is to buy a milk container that can be returned to the store for a credit. I know that Sprout's offers this via Straus organic milk, which is contained in glass bottles.

A Hydroflask water bottle saves you from using disposable water bottles. Bring several 5 gallon ...more

A Hydroflask water bottle saves you from using disposable water bottles. Bring several 5 gallon water jugs as storage and use your bottle as your day supply.

Jenny Kane/RGJ

Water - I store my water in two five-gallon, plastic jugs. I fill them about three-quarters of the way, and I freeze them before the Burn. When it's time to leave, I fill them completely and off I go. I used to also freeze a bunch of plastic water bottles, but I'll likely do the same with my assortment of reusable water bottles this time in hopes of a similar result -- cold water for several days. The frozen water also helps to keep other items cold.

Eggs - I compost the shells and the cartons after use.

Bacon - It's a must. I'll get it from the butcher.

Bread - One of my favorite things to eat when I am out hiking, or at Burning Man, is a baguette with cheese and salami. And maybe a little basil if I haven't killed my basil plant lately. I'll be purchasing my baguette at a local bakery (Perenn and House of Bread are great options in Reno) and I'll pre-slice it and store it in a large Tupperware since I don't want it to go stale and waste it.

Tortillas - I'm hoping to get these at a local taqueria. I eat a lot of quesadillas at Burning Man because it's quick and easy.

Salami - Ask the butcher!

Olive oil - I have a bulk jug of oil at home, but I will bring a mini container.

Tupperware - It's bulky, but an effective way to store basically everything.

Zucchini - It's easy to cut up and saute. And I LOVE zucchini.

Apples - They stay fresh more or less fresh during hot days. And they pair well with cheese.

Coleman stove - Use it every year.

Propane bottles - They have plastic caps, but you can also re-fill them.

Water - I bring two five-gallon plastic containers and I fill them about three-quarters of the way with water, freeze them, and then put water in the remaining quarter just before I leave for the event. These water jugs are just one of the items where -- were I to go back in time -- I'd perhaps get something that was glass, but now that I have them the goal is to hold on to them and continue to use them for as long as possible.

Hydroflask - My favorite item for Burning Man ever. This water bottle keeps my water ice cold for more than 24 hours in many cases, and I have absolutely no desire to use plastic water bottles ever again.

Silverware - I get silverware at the thrift store. Cheap, zero-waste, and you're reusing items. Plus, you can use them at home later!

Tin cup - I received mine as a gift, but if you can find a tin cup with a handle at the thrift store, you can not only use it to gather drinks at Burning Man (clip a caribener to it, and attach to a belt), but you can also heat it on your stove for individual drinks. Hello, hot cocoa!

Pots (2), pans (2), bowls (2), plates (2) - I bring two of everything in case one gets super dirty and I struggle to clean it out fully.

Dish towels - Usually I bring sponges, but I can't find any that are not wrapped in plastic, so towels it is! At home, I might invest in a biodegradable dish brush moving forward.

Spatula - Just brought one from home.

Cutting board - Same.

* Canned food - I will have to recycle these items, but just in case my fresh food spoils, I like to have back up food.

Toiletries

This was a really tough category for me. I largely failed at finding plastic alternatives to my toiletries list. I have a sun allergy (I am as close to a vampire as humanly possible) so I didn't compromise on bringing a bottle of antihistamine pills or sunblock or SPF chapstick -- all of which are in plastic containers and all of which I will eventually throw away and buy more of. I did have a few wins, though...

Toothbrush - I purchased a pack of bamboo toothbrushes. It's relatively cheap and a super easy switch. The only thing I'd note is that, when you're using a brand new brush, the wooden handle tends to be a bit rough. It softens though over a few days.

Shampoo - There are shampoo and conditioner bars out there, and some of them are great. I had a hard time finding them, but finally found the shampoo in Whole Foods. Conditioner, I'll have to order online. Really, it's unnecessary at Burning Man, but if you must wash your hair...

Soap - Lots of locally made soaps smell amazing and they have zero packaging.

Diva cup - Feminine products are tough to find without packaging. Pads are often wrapped in plastic, and tampons are too.

* Sunscreen - I found a small, expensive tin of "sun butter" but it is tiny and I am very curious to see how long this is going to last me. Admittedly, I have like 10 plastic back-up bottles of sunblock. In an effort to use less sunscreen, though, I often wear longsleeve shirts and sun-protective coverings.

* Toothpaste - HELP! I know that there is tooth cleaning powder, but as far as I can tell, they're all in plastic containers as well. So, I'm sticking with my tube I guess until further notice.

* Chapstick - I need it. I really do. And I can't find an alternative in a tin that has sun--protective SPF components. Plastic it is?

* Deodorant - I found metal aerosol alternatives, but they have plastic caps.

* Cold medicine - Medicine is tough to find without plastic packaging. I respect wholistic medicine, but I want my Nyquil if I get a dust cold at Burning Man.

* Eye drops

Lozanges - I found some in a tin at Whole Foods.

General supplies

Since I have most of my year-to-year camping supplies, I don't intend on just trashing them because they're plastic. Being hasty to replace everything seems like it could exacerbate the problem of disposing of plastic. So, you'll notice I'm holding on to a lot of items not made of sustainable materials. If you have the opportunity, and the budget, to do otherwise because you're starting your collection of camping goods, by all means, go for a superior packing list.

Tent - I use the Kodiak canvas tent, which is durable and likely to last for a long time so as not to have to keep replacing a flimsy, cheaper tent. Again, this is a big expense and not practical for budget shoppers.

Tarps – I bring two tarps, one for below the tent, one for shade, and use the same ones each year.

Rebar – I use metal rebar as the stakes for my tent because unlike the ones that often come with a tent, they work. I used to use tennis balls in the past to ensure that no one hurts themselves on my rebar stakes, but my coworker figured out a way to avoid using tennis balls. Have the rebar bent into a U-shape at the hardware store

Sledgehammer - For driving in my rebar stakes.

Rope - Just in case.

* Sleeping pad - I use a piece of thick foam as a mattress pad. The upside is I sleep amazingly compared to my sleep on a standard, camping sleeping pad, and I also don't have to worry about my mattress deflating. The downside is that common foam is made of polyurethane, which is a plastic product, and I usually replace this item every few years.

Sleeping bag - I use my dad's old sleeping bag, wash it out each year and it's good as new each round.

Bike - Fat tires and a good seat.

Bike pump - Just in case.

Repair kit - Just in case.

Use compostable garbage bags for the trash waste that you do produce.

Use compostable garbage bags for the trash waste that you do produce.

Jenny Kane/RGJ

Bike lights - Lights for your bike are essential at night, and you can use them over and over. Haven't thrown any away yet, but likely will have to get new batteries soon. I'm investing in rechargeable batteries to further extend the lights' life.

Headlamp - Get a quality head lamp with rechargeable batteries and it should last you for a very long time.

Rechargeable batteries - They're more expensive, but seems like a worthy investment.

Matches - I hope I don't regret this. Usually I bring a few lighters.

* Camping chair - Mine just broke a few weeks ago so I guess I need to get a new one. Not sure what's out there at the moment, but since I have the opportunity to buy a better, sustainable product, I'll seek the best alternative to a cheap, plastic one.

Bucket for waste/grey water - Mine is a plastic one I bought a few years ago, but if you don't already have one, just find a container at the thrift store.

Cooler - They make the vacuum-sealed coolers now, which can reduce the number of ice bags (wrapped in plastic) you use.

Garbage bags - I found compostable garbage bags at Whole Foods. How long these bags will take to decompose, I have no idea.

Backpack or fanny pack - For when you go out during the middle of the day. Easily found at thrift store.

Multitool - Great for all outdoor occasions.

Inflatable solar lantern - No batteries needed.

Clothes

Everyone's wardrobe is very different at Burning Man, so these are just some staple items to start with. Because I simply bring my clothes that I wear day-to-day, my list isn't anything earth-shattering. I'd say, if you're buying any clothes to wear exclusively at Burning Man, check out the thrift stores first!

Goggles - For protection from the sun, dust. I just use a re-used set of ski goggles.

Sunhat - For protection from the sun, dust.

Warm coat, hat - It can get cold at night in the desert.

Comfortable shoes - You cannot wear heels for a week in the desert, if you're sane.

Bandanna - It doesn't help much with the finer dust, but I'm going to wear a washable bandanna this year instead of a disposable mask to keep some of the dust out of my respiratory system.